Measuring The Elite
AEW remains the most volatile promotion in professional wrestling as we hit the mid-point of summer. The recent fallout from Redemption dictates these rankings based on in-ring efficiency, booking momentum, and impact on television ratings.
The Current Top 10
- Kenny Omega: The Best Bout Machine remains the standard. His tactical dismantling of opponents at Redemption proves he hasn't lost a step despite years of wear and tear.
- Hikaru Shida: The current TBS Champion carries the women's division. Her technical precision in title defenses forces the rest of the roster to elevate their work rates.
- Will Ospreay: You cannot teach the speed at which he operates. Ospreay remains the primary gear that keeps the company moving toward a high-octane product.
- Tommaso Ciampa: Fresh off a decisive win over Zachary Wentz on the latest Collision taping. His transition into the AEW fold has been seamless and arguably the most aggressive acquisition this year.
- The Young Bucks: Their booking remains divisive, but their influence on the tag team hierarchy is undeniable. They dictate the narrative of the division every time their music hits.
- Willow Nightingale: Her consistency is finally paying off in the win column. She occupies the rare space of a babyface who feels authentic to the crowd, keeping momentum high.
- Thekla: A breakout performer whose impact on the scene at Redemption was undeniable. She brings a fresh style that keeps stagnant matchups from feeling stale.
- Kevin Knight: The athleticism is off the charts, placing him in the top tier of rising stars. He turned heads at the recent pay-per-view, marking him as a future main event fixture.
- The Painmaker: A veteran presence who provides instant credibility to any program. He remains dangerous, even if his schedule is sporadic compared to the full-time roster.
- Zachary Wentz: Despite a loss to Ciampa, his positioning on the card confirms he is a focus for the mid-card resurgence. He adds a necessary layer of pace to the Saturday night rotation.
The Big Picture and Lingering Flaws
AEW is in a transitional phase following the latest wave of free agent signings. The depth of the roster is at an all-time high, but the sheer volume of talent creates a logistical bottleneck for long-term storytelling.
The current scheduling conflict remains a negative mark on the promotion. Missing star power, such as MJF's inexplicable absence from the Redemption card, leaves a void that the creative team struggles to fill on short notice. Tony Khan confirmed during the Redemption media call that there were specific reasons for the omission, but the audience is left waiting for high-profile matchups that fail to materialize.
We must also address the over-reliance on taped spoilers from shows like Collision. When the results are public days before the broadcast, it kills the surprise factor. Production needs to tighten the leakage in Nashville and throughout their taping cycles to ensure the product feels fresh to the television audience.
Injuries continue to plague the mid-card, further complicating the ranking process. Maintaining a clean bill of health for the top 10 is essential if AEW wants to sustain the quality of their television output throughout the second half of 2026. If the promotion fails to secure their biggest names for marquee events, the ranking fluctuations will continue to oscillate wildly.
Honorable Mentions
Darby Allin and Swerve Strickland narrowly missed the cut. Both remain vital, though their lack of a definitive post-Redemption direction keeps them just outside the top tier. They are one decisive angle away from re-entering the conversation for the top spot.
The inclusion of new talent is a double-edged sword. While it creates buzz, it pushes established favorites into the background. Balance is the primary challenge for the creative team moving into the fall schedule. They have 7 months left in the calendar year to define the 2026 legacy.
